The AI Marketing Companion

Latest Episodes:

Customer Experiences and AI - The Next Competitive Moat Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

What happens when marketing moves beyond campaigns and becomes experience, emotion, and intelligence (AI) combined?

In this episode, I sit down with Kenny Lauer, one of the most dynamic leaders in modern marketing. From early roles at Apple and KPMG to leading global digital experiences at George P. Johnson, serving as VP of Marketing for the Golden State Warriors during their championship era, and now shaping immersive sound-driven experiences at Meyer Sound, Kenny's career sits at the intersection of technology, storytelling, sports, and live experience design.

We unpack how marketing has evolved from messaging to moment-making, and why the next era will be defined by AI as a teammate, not just a tool.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• The throughline behind Kenny's career across tech, sports, and global brand experiences • How marketing is shifting from campaigns to end-to-end experiences • Lessons from the Golden State Warriors during one of the most iconic runs in NBA history • What global markets like Japan teach us about culture-first marketing • A real marketing "war story" and the lessons every leader should learn • The top 3 takeaways from SXSW 2026 every marketer needs to act on now • What the future looks like when AI becomes your teammate, not your tool

This conversation is a masterclass in experiential marketing, brand strategy, digital transformation, and AI-driven marketing innovation.

If you are a CMO, founder, marketer, or builder trying to understand where marketing is going next, this episode will give you both the strategic lens and practical insights to stay ahead.

The bottom line: Marketing is no longer about what you say. It is about what people feel, experience, and now… what intelligent systems can co-create with you.

Shhhhhh! Don't Tell, But We're Sharing the 5 Top Community Building Secrets Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

She built a 75,000+ member community. Then she shut it down. What she did next reveals the 5 secrets every community builder needs to know.

Dana Malstaff turned Boss Mom from a book into one of the most recognized community brands online, growing a massive movement of entrepreneurs and mothers who refuse to choose between ambition and family.

In this episode, Dana shares 5 community building secrets that most people will never figure out on their own: the real spark that starts a movement, why nurturing always beats selling, the bold truth about paid vs. free communities, how to become "micro famous" before launching anything, and an "emotional niching" strategy that completely redefines who your audience really is.

If you've ever wondered why some communities thrive while others fade, this is the episode that will change everything.

First or Fast Follower? 3 AI-Era Rules for Marketers Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Should you be first or a fast follower? Digital pioneer Mark Schaefer breaks down 3 critical rules for marketers navigating AI and discusses why the 85% solution isn't good enough.

OpenClaw: Sandy Carter and Shawn Reddy Shows Marketers How to Set Up AI Agents That Actually Work Feb 10, 2026

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OpenClaw is the hottest open source AI agent in marketing and in this episode Shawn Reddy from Cliqk pulls back the curtain. He walks us through the OpenClaw dashboard live, demonstrates social media scraping in action and shows the complete setup process so you can see exactly what it takes to get started. This isn't another episode about AI theory. Shawn shows us the real marketing use cases working today including social monitoring, content research and cross platform automation across Gmail, Slack and LinkedIn. You'll see the dashboard, watch social media scraping pull real time insights and understand what the setup looks like from start to finish. Then we confront the security risks head on. Wiz discovered Moltbook exposed 1.5 million API keys. Malicious plugins are exfiltrating private files. Prompt injection attacks are real. If you're handing an AI agent your credentials you need to hear this conversation. We also explore persistent AI memory for personalization at scale, Moltbook's 770,000+ agents and whether agent to agent interaction changes marketing forever, and the governance frameworks brands need before letting agents act on their behalf.

The 7 Things Marketers Need to Know About AI Search Jan 28, 2026

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One of the Top Marketing Trends in 2026. AI search is about to overtake traditional search by 2028, and the implications for marketers are massive. In this episode, Sandy Carter sits down with content strategy expert Andy Crestodina to unpack the rise of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and why it is radically different from the SEO we all know. You'll hear why AI-generated recommendations convert at higher rates, and how brands can train AI to choose them as the preferred answer, and most importantly, a Hack to start making progress for your brand today!

Why Marketing Will Never Be the Same Again (2026 Edition) Jan 12, 2026

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Marketing is scaling faster than humans can adapt—and most leaders are underestimating the shift. In this conversation with Sandy Carter, Ray Wang, CEO and founder of Constellation Research, and Liz Miller, former leader of the CMO council, and analyst at Constellation Research, reveal what's changed in just two years: AI agents embedded in org charts, accountability rising as decisions digitize, and why selling to humans still demands trust, authenticity, and reputation. From boardroom blind spots to the death of long-held marketing myths, this episode is a roadmap for leaders preparing for 2026.

A fond farewell Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

In his final episode as host of The Marketing Companion, Mark Schaefer reflects on the story of a show that beat the odds. This episode has the ups, the downs, and funniest moments from 13 years of the world's most entertaining podcast.

Humane versus human marketing Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Sure, we want our marketing to connect with customers in a human and emotional way. But maybe a bigger short-term win is a humane approach that provides people with the help they need as quickly and effortlessly as possible. And that might be the perfect role for AI. Mark Schaefer and Mathew Sweezey talk about this important role and the emphasis on humane versus human.

Sustaining a personal brand in trying times Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Jay Acunzo and Mark Schaefer discuss their success in sustaining their personal content production for years, even decades. They discuss their mindset and strategies of incorporating a content lifestyle and beating the odds. Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," "Belonging to the Brand," and "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising. For more of Mark's insights every week, subcribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking. Jay Acunzo consults experts and entrepreneurs to differentiate their messages and content. He hosts the podcast How Stories Happen, where guests dissect signature stories piece by piece. Learn more at jayacunzo.com

Truth is now a luxury Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Mark Schaefer begins the show with a significant announcement about the future of The Marketing Companion. Co-host Sandy Carter kicks off a discussion about how Deep Fakes are overwhelming even the most famous brands and company leaders. Mark and Sandy also cover the impact of AI speed on marketing, the rise of the humanoids and more. Mark Schaefer is a strategy consultant, college educator, keynote speaker, and the author of 10 books including "KNOWN," "Belonging to the Brand," and "Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World." His annual marketing retreat is The Uprising. For more of Mark's insights every week, subscribe to his award-winning blog. Mark also offers classes in personal branding and professional speaking. Sandy Carter is COO of Unstoppable Domains and has held marketing leadership positions at IBM and AWS. She is the author of AI First, Human Always.

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